Perdue Farms has expanded its $68 million investment in nutrient recycling on the Delmarva Peninsula with the addition of a $12 million capital investment in a composting operation. The AgriSoil composting facility increases the company’s capacity to handle surplus poultry litter from Delmarva chicken farms and adds the capability to recycle other agricultural by-products that were previously land-applied.

INSIGHTS: Yes, this is turning chicken poop into profit but notice the end result is a high-quality composted soil amendment high in organic matter. The final product will be marketed for commercial use and to consumer lawn-and-garden products distributors. The compost is especially good for improving sandy soils, restoring depleted soils and as a seedbed. Three cheers for efforts and investments of this scale and value!

Innovation in manure and nutrient handling is not always driven by regulation, consumer interests or seasonal issues. See how ongoing nutrient management achievements were awarded to a Maryland dairy farm.